House and Hearts of Prayer
House and Hearts of Prayer
As we continue our study of the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. He rides on a donkey to fulfill prophecy and the crowds shout Hosanna and praise God. However, as Jesus “approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42.
How true are the words of Jesus today over the city of Jerusalem, Israel and the crisis in Gaza. Peace seems to have eluded that region of the world. What will bring peace in the Middle East and the whole world has been hidden from the world’s eyes. The world has rejected the Prince of Peace. Unfortunately, what will bring peace in our own lives elude us as we employ means that are contrary to God’s plan and design. Instead of going to our Father in Heaven for our peace, we as individuals and corporate entities as a Church have resorted to everything but prayer.
Luke 19: 45
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46"It is written," He said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'[c]; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'[d]"
47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. What Jesus saw in the temple was alarming and unbelievable. People were being taken advantage of and the animals for sacrifice were being sold at unfair and exorbitant prices. The temple had now become a souvenir and merchandising store.
2. Unfortunately, the same practice is obtaining today. The Churches have been turned into business ventures. There is buying and selling in our churches and many are being taken advantage of. People are demanding and paying for prayers. Innocent people are being duped in the name of the “get-rich-quick” messages and the associated offerings. Just listen to some of the TV evangelist, and you will feel nauseated.
3. Jesus has come to cleanse the temple including ours since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What Jesus saw made Him angry and it should also make us angry. “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” (Matthew 21: 12). Today, let us allow Jesus to cleanse our hearts of any “thieves” that steal our times away from praying. What are the thieves in your live? Is it family and friends, your money or position and etc? Don’t let l anything stop you from praying.
4. Jesus says, “My House (us believers), will be a house of prayer”. As we begin the New Year - 2009, I am re-examining my own life to make sure I am a house of prayer. The devil will lie to us to employ every other means but prayer. We will often call people first about our problems than speak to our Father God first.
5. The Prayer Jesus is calling us to pray is not just for me and my needs and me and me. In the original passage Jesus quoted it says, “These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7). We are a house of prayer for all nations (peoples or people groups) so that they will turn their hearts to the Prince of Peace. Identify people groups to pray for in 2009; e.g. the homosexuals, the widows and orphans, the Haitians, the Germans and etc. Also notice the Lord promises to give us joy as we pray in His House.
6. We are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the Middle East region. The United Nations will not bring a lasting peace or cease fire in that region. ‘Lord, please have mercy on the Israelites and the Palestinians of the Middle East and bring them peace. Lord, open their eyes so they can turn to you, the Prince of Peace. Amen.’
Make the year 2009 a year of Prayer. May your Heart, House, your Home and your Church be a House of Prayer for all Nations. Our peace of mind will only be found in prayer (on our knees) this year. Do you have a need or something is bugging you right now? Then pray and cry out to God. Pray for people to come to the full knowledge of the saving Jesus. 4”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4: 4-7.
Happy New Year and New You in Prayer!
As we continue our study of the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. He rides on a donkey to fulfill prophecy and the crowds shout Hosanna and praise God. However, as Jesus “approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42.
How true are the words of Jesus today over the city of Jerusalem, Israel and the crisis in Gaza. Peace seems to have eluded that region of the world. What will bring peace in the Middle East and the whole world has been hidden from the world’s eyes. The world has rejected the Prince of Peace. Unfortunately, what will bring peace in our own lives elude us as we employ means that are contrary to God’s plan and design. Instead of going to our Father in Heaven for our peace, we as individuals and corporate entities as a Church have resorted to everything but prayer.
Luke 19: 45
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46"It is written," He said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'[c]; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'[d]"
47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. What Jesus saw in the temple was alarming and unbelievable. People were being taken advantage of and the animals for sacrifice were being sold at unfair and exorbitant prices. The temple had now become a souvenir and merchandising store.
2. Unfortunately, the same practice is obtaining today. The Churches have been turned into business ventures. There is buying and selling in our churches and many are being taken advantage of. People are demanding and paying for prayers. Innocent people are being duped in the name of the “get-rich-quick” messages and the associated offerings. Just listen to some of the TV evangelist, and you will feel nauseated.
3. Jesus has come to cleanse the temple including ours since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What Jesus saw made Him angry and it should also make us angry. “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” (Matthew 21: 12). Today, let us allow Jesus to cleanse our hearts of any “thieves” that steal our times away from praying. What are the thieves in your live? Is it family and friends, your money or position and etc? Don’t let l anything stop you from praying.
4. Jesus says, “My House (us believers), will be a house of prayer”. As we begin the New Year - 2009, I am re-examining my own life to make sure I am a house of prayer. The devil will lie to us to employ every other means but prayer. We will often call people first about our problems than speak to our Father God first.
5. The Prayer Jesus is calling us to pray is not just for me and my needs and me and me. In the original passage Jesus quoted it says, “These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7). We are a house of prayer for all nations (peoples or people groups) so that they will turn their hearts to the Prince of Peace. Identify people groups to pray for in 2009; e.g. the homosexuals, the widows and orphans, the Haitians, the Germans and etc. Also notice the Lord promises to give us joy as we pray in His House.
6. We are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the Middle East region. The United Nations will not bring a lasting peace or cease fire in that region. ‘Lord, please have mercy on the Israelites and the Palestinians of the Middle East and bring them peace. Lord, open their eyes so they can turn to you, the Prince of Peace. Amen.’
Make the year 2009 a year of Prayer. May your Heart, House, your Home and your Church be a House of Prayer for all Nations. Our peace of mind will only be found in prayer (on our knees) this year. Do you have a need or something is bugging you right now? Then pray and cry out to God. Pray for people to come to the full knowledge of the saving Jesus. 4”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4: 4-7.
Happy New Year and New You in Prayer!
Comments